Comparison of near-background concentrations of Argon-37 and Xenon-133 in the Atmosphere

Fritz, Brad G.; Alexander, Thomas R.; Bowyer, Theodore W.; Hayes, James C.; Mace, Emily K.; Woods, Vincent T.

doi:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2021.106590

Title: Comparison of near-background concentrations of Argon-37 and Xenon-133 in the Atmosphere

Journal Article · Thu Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 2021 · Journal of Environmental Radioactivity

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2021.106590· OSTI ID:1787468

Fritz, Brad G. ^[1];

^[1]; Bowyer, Theodore W. ^[1]; Hayes, James C. ^[1];

^[1]; Woods, Vincent T. ^[1]

BATTELLE (PACIFIC NW LAB)

Radioisotopes of noble gases xenon and argon can be important indicators of underground nuclear explosions. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) includes monitoring capabilities to identify potential nuclear explosions conducted in violation of the CTBT. This monitoring currently focuses on measurement of the xenon isotopes 133Xe, 135Xe, 131mXe and 133mXe. However, it is predicted that within 100 days of an underground nuclear explosion (UNE) 37Ar would be released to the atmosphere at higher concentrations than xenon isotopes (Haas et al. 2010) and with a higher signal to background ratio, depending on the radioxenon background levels. Therefore, inclusion of 37Ar measurement capabilities at atmospheric International Monitoring System (IMS) stations may represent an improvement in the capability to detect a nuclear explosion. At an IMS station, it could be difficult to determine what constitutes an elevated concentration as a result of an UNE without first understanding the expected range of background concentrations. This work describes our analysis of atmospheric samples for 37Ar to evaluate the range of background concentrations. Samples were collected at multiple locations, with approximately half coming from a sampler co-located with an IMS xenon monitoring station (RN75). The range of 37Ar concentrations measured in atmospheric air samples was relatively narrow; for samples considered detectable, the minimum and maximum measured concentrations were 0.56 and 2.3 mBq/m3, respectively. Comparison of 37Ar and 133Xe concentrations measured at the IMS station indicated some correlation between the measured concentrations. The results presented here demonstrate the capability to detect background concentrations of 37Ar in atmospheric air and provide a basis for potential implementation of 37Ar monitoring at IMS stations.

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Research Organization:: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

DOE Contract Number:: AC05-76RL01830

OSTI ID:: 1787468

Report Number(s):: PNNL-SA-158330

Journal Information:: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Vol. 233

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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